HIS INNOCENT SIN

CHAPTER 17

I couldn't bear to interrupt them, but a jolt in my heart shook me to the core. I excused myself immediately, wiping away my tears. This feeling, it's uncontrollable. I hate him for making me fall in love with him. He lied. He lied about her. He's getting married and treating me like a mistress. I feel so humiliated. All I want is to escape and find my path. I can't endure this any longer. Oh God, please help me. Please give me the strength to carry on.

The party exuded elegance, yet I found myself secluded in a corner, consumed by sorrow and brokenness. I sipped on champagne, my eyes wandering over the sharply dressed men. Ashton, ever the caring soul, approached me, trying to lift my spirits. His presence always had a way of making me smile. Then Jereme appeared, holding a cake, as if he knew the depths of my emotions without me uttering a word. He understood my heartache and the tears shed over love.

"I can see it in your eyes, Jenna. You're shattered, aren't you?" Jereme asked, his gaze filled with concern.

"I don't know, Jereme. I feel so humiliated. All I want is to be loved and find happiness," I replied, my voice tinged with sadness.

Jereme enveloped me in a comforting hug, gently wiping away my tears. Then he took my hand and led me to the garden, where we settled on a bench and gazed up at the stars together.

"See those stars? They're incredibly beautiful, but they're also unreachable," Jereme remarked.

"Yes, I wish I could reach them," I sighed.

"Just like you, Jenna. You're like a star..." Our eyes met, causing a blush to spread across my cheeks.

"What are you talking about? I'm not like a star or a pearl. They take advantage of me because I'm innocent, poor, and naive. I have nothing, Jereme. Not like you," I protested, feeling a mix of frustration and self-doubt.

Jereme placed a gentle hand on my chest, near my heart. "It's not about beauty, money, or power, Jenna. What truly matters is right here," he said, emphasizing the importance of my inner self.

"You have to stand up for yourself. I know it's painful, but every wound will eventually heal and become a scar. Those scars serve as reminders and lessons, not as signs of your mistakes."

Tears streamed down my face once again, but this time they carried a sense of relief as he spoke those words. And then, unexpectedly, the rain began to fall. Both of us were taken aback, but Jereme had always loved the rain. Despite my dislike for it, instead of seeking shelter, we embraced the moment and began to play and dance in the rain.

We laughed with unbridled joy, moving and twirling like carefree children. At that moment, the weight of the world seemed to fade away, and we found solace in the simple pleasure of being together. It felt nostalgic, like an old memory cherished but not forgotten—a moment that reminded us of the pure and untainted happiness we had experienced in our youth. 

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Jereme dropped me off at my apartment and gave me a gentle goodbye kiss on my cheeks. I felt a surge of happiness, but the memory of what had transpired between Michael and me still lingered in my mind. As I took a step towards the entrance hallway, I noticed Michael standing there, drenched from the rain. He was waiting for me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with coldness. I couldn't help but feel hurt.

"We need to talk," he said, his tone pleading.

"Enough! I don't want you to be my boss, my dominant, or whatever we were," I replied firmly, finally expressing my frustration and determination to break free from the toxic dynamic we had shared.

"You have to come with me," he insisted, reaching out to grab my hands and pull me towards his car. But a surge of fear and nervousness washed over me, raising red flags in my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling that he might hurt me. Instinctively, I broke free from his grasp and ran to the safety of my apartment, quickly locking the door behind me.

Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed onto the floor, my heart shattered and my nerves frayed. The longing for him consumed me. I yearned for his kiss, his love, and for him to fight for our relationship. But deep down, I knew it was impossible. He had lied to me, breaking me into countless pieces.

In my anguish, I found solace in the presence of Zeon, a dear friend who understood the pain and anxiety I was going through. We cried together, sharing in the heaviness of my emotions. The sadness and anxiety enveloped me, leaving me feeling utterly devastated.

In that moment of vulnerability, I knew I had to find the strength to heal and rebuild myself. I couldn't allow someone who had broken my trust to continue to hold power over my emotions. I resolved to focus on self-care, seeking support from loved ones, and gradually piecing myself back together.

Though the journey ahead seemed daunting, I held onto the glimmer of hope that one day, I would find love and happiness again. And in time, with the support of those who cared for me, I would emerge stronger and more resilient than before.